Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:33 pm

Many of you will remember a couple of months ago when I bought the property across the road and planned to let the fire department burn the house down for training. After some thought (and looking at the full dimension 2x4 studs and 2x8 rafters) I had decided to dismantle the building to save the lumber for BOB's renovation. Since that won't happen until after the first of the year I came up with plan "B". I just got back a little while ago from a meeting at the house with the township fire chief, two firefighters and the county fire training officer. I decided to let them use the house for non-fire training. They will be climbing into second floor windows off ladders with hoses, performing roof rescues and filling rooms with fake smoke for simulated rescues.

The chief also said they will bust a few holes in the inside walls to simulate getting to hidden fires. Some of his guys had only worked with drywall and had never tore through plaster which can be a little tougher. He also asked if they could cut a 4'x'4 hole through the roof of the small addition on the back of the house since he had several guys who had no roof training. He said the department would patch the hole after training to keep the weather out until I took the house down. I told him that was okay as long as it was on the back side and not visible from the main road. I figured a little hole like that was no big deal if it would help the guys. I did tell them that all inside and outside doors were off limits to their axes. They are solid doors and I want to save them.

This way the house stays intact and the firefighters get valuable experience in saving lives and property. I figure this is a good way to give back to my community. You never know when their training may save my family's possesions.

All participants will be required to sign a waiver relieving me of liability in case of injury.

Re: Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:51 pm

Sounds like a great plan, Bill.

Re: Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:21 pm

Excellent Bill. I really wish more property owners would contribute this way. Nothing like real property to practice in. Practice towers are fine but a real house/building allows more realistic training and that has to be a good thing. Congrats to a really good community minded citizen

Re: Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:54 pm

With all those fire engines , maybe you will finally findyour real ladder.

I was once a volunteer fire fighter back in the mid 70's The training you get in a real house with smoke is invaluable.It may be the first time the younger guys get to eat a little smoke . This could save their lives at somepoint in the future on a real structural fire. Its a fine thing you are doing.

Re: Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:55 am

Rudi wrote:allows more realistic training and that has to be a good thing.

Yes that is a good thing. No two houses are alike and no two houses have the coffee tables or basement doors in the same spot. Time spent inside training houses learning to navigate around in the dark without the fear of dying, is a very good thing.

Re: Helping the firemen and saving the annex too!

Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:30 am

Sounds like a much better plan than just watching it go up in smoke. Save the good stuff and train those who help save us.